No word yet on when the fall El Niño is supposed to set in but farmers, depending on their harvest prospects, the need for moisture to get wheat off to a good start, or to keep forage going well into fall, are either hoping for rain or praying that it holds off until cotton is stripped, peanuts dug and grain is in the bin.

Dry conditions seem to hold sway for the moment across much of Texas as drought continues to intensify, with 27 percent of the state still considered in moderate to extreme drought. That’s up slightly from last week’s report but the areas in severe and extreme drought have grown. The area considered in drought has also expanded well into Central Texas.

Last week’s percentage listed in drought status was the same as this week but was severe.

Status has changed considerably over the past three months when less than 1 percent of the state remained in drought. One year ago, 57 percent of the state was considered in drought.

Weather observers expect this current dry spell to be broken by an intense El Niño event that could begin as early as October and last well into winter before tapering off next spring and summer.

This latest weather monitor shows likelihood that drought conditions will improve over the next few months with no area within the Southwest expected to see intensified drought.